Printing machine



G. H. HIGGINS ETAL Nov. 12, 1940.

PRINTING MACHINE Filed Dec. 28, 1957 s Sheets-Sheeti I .INiIFNTORS I ATT RNEY Nov. 12, 1940.

G. H. HIGGINS ETAL PRINTING MACHINE 'Filed Dec. 28, 1957 5 Sheets-sheaf. 2

\NvENT Rs G na-M Maia 7 ATTZRNEY 9 1940- G. H. HIGGINS ETAL PRINTING MACHINE Filed Dec. 28,. 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 \NvEN'ToRs 2 ATTO NEY Patented Nov. 12, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Walter S. Edwards, New Haven, Conn, assignors to It. Hoe & Co.,.Inc., New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application December 28, 1937, Serial No. 182,080

18 Claims. (61. 101--92) This invention relates to improvements in printing machines and more particularly to an imprinting mechanism for a printing machine whereby a heading or other imprinted matter may be positioned for printing on a running web a determined number of times corresponding to the desired number of products requiring such imprinting, and then another maybe automatically positioned to be printed, without stopping the printing machine, in which the device is incorporated.

An imprinting mechanism is particularly useful in printing cliiferent headings on separate batches of products, the body of each of which is the same but which require different headings.

For instance, the rotogravure sections of different newspapers may all be printed on the same printing machine and with the device of this invention a heading on the front sheet of the section, constituting the product, may be printed upon a desired number of sections, for one newspaper, and then another heading be automatically positioned for printing upon a desired number, for another newspaper, all without stopping the press to accomplish this result. The device is also useful for printing advertising pamphlets, fashion sheets, and the like, where the dealer's name and address is imprinted, and the same advertising matter is to be used by several dealers.

One object of this invention is'to provide an imprinting mechanism adapted to perform the above stated functions and for cooperation with a printin machine.

Another object is to provide in an imprinting mechanism for printing headings on a running web, indexing means to selectively dispose each of a plurality of printing means for different headings in printing position.

A further object is to provide in an imprinting mechanism having indexing meansto dispose printing means for diflerent headings selectively in printing position, mechanism to control the operation of this means to cause the change 45 over from one heading to'another without stopping the printing machine with which the device coordinates.

A still further object is toprovide means to control an imprinting mechanism of the above nature adapted to time the indexing operation in accordance with the number of products to be printed.

It is also an object of this invention to provide an imprinting mechanism of generally improved construction, whereby the same will be simple,

durable and inexpensive in construction, as well as convenient, practical, serviceable and emcient in its use. I

With the foregoing and otherobjects in view, which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed.

An embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 diagrammatically illustrates a printa generally along line 66 in that figure;

Figure '7 is a sectional view taken on line 1-1 of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a detail sectional View taken on line 8-8 of Figure 7; and

Figure 9 is an electrical circuit layout of'the controls for the indexing mechanism.

The printing machine illustrated in Figure 1 is adapted to print upon a web running into the machine from a web roll l2, first on one side of the'web by means of a first printing unit l3, then by means of rollers l5 and IE, to feed and guide the web II, from the unit l3 to a second printing unit H to have it printed on the other side, and then, by means of rollers l1 and I8, to feed it between cooperating cylinders 9 and 2| of the imprinting mechanism of this invention. From the cylinders I9 and 2|, the printed and imprinted web is then guided by rollers 22 and 23 into position to be associated with other webs, which are then folded in a folding mechanism 24.

The imprinting mechanism of this invention includes the impression cylinder l9 and the form cylinder 2| with suitable inking rollers 25 for the form cylinder 2|. Herein, the form cylinder 2| is shown in Figure 2 as being provided with a plurality of printing faces 26, each being capable of printing a diflerent heading upon the web as it is fed between the cylinder 2| and the cylinder 1}, by cooperating with an impression pad 21 on the cylinder l9. Although sixteen faces 26 are shown, it will be understood that there may be provided a fewer or greater number if desired and that these may be formed upon plates of the 19 and 2|, in which case, there would be duplicate heading faces oppositely disposed on the cylinder 2|.

As shown in Figure 2, only one heading printing face will cooperate with the impression pad 21 during each revolution of the cylinders I9 and 2| and this same heading will continue to be printed until the form cylinder 2| is moved relatively to the cylinder l9 an amount equal to the space from the center of one printing face 26 to the center of the next succeeding one.

The cylinders l9 and 2| are rotated in syn chronism with each other, and with the printing units l3 and I4, by means of a shaft 28 extending from and being driven by the. driving means of the printing machine (see Figures 2 and 3). A bevel gear 29 on the shaft 28 drives .a meshing bevel gear 3| and through its shaft 32, .a gear 33. In respect to the impression cylinder l9, a bevel gear on the shaft 28 drives a bevel gear 36 on a vertical shaft 31 and through a bevel gear 38 on the cylinder shaft 39 drives the cylinder l9. In respect to the cylinder 2|, the gear 33 drives a gear 34 which is secured on,a shaft 48, suitably journaled in a machine frame portion 4|, and which has a pinion 42 secured thereto. The pinion 42 drives a plurality of pinions 43, 44 and 45 ro tatively mounted upon spindles 46 carried by a pinion frame 41.. The pinions 43, 44 and 45 are in drivingengalgement with internal teeth 48 formed in a. gear 49, carried by a bracket 5|, which is rotatively supported on the shaft 46. The gear 49 by its exterior gear teeth 52 drives a gear 53 secured on the shaft 54 of the form cylinder 2|.

The pinion frame 41 is provided'with a hub 55, which is journaled in a machine frame por- .rotative movement of, the gear 49, whereby the cylinder 2| will be given a movement relatively to the-cylinder l9, by being driven faster or slower than the cylinder |9. Preferably this indexing is accomplished by retarding the rotation of 4 the cylinder 2| relatively to the cylinder I 9. In dexing the cylinder 2| will cause theface 26,

cooperating with the pad 21, to be removed fromthis cooperating position, and the next, or another selected face 26 to be disposed in its place.

The means to index the cylinder 2| relatively to the cylinder l9, to dispose another printing face 26 in cooperative relation with the pad 21 is illustrated in Figures 2 and 3 as including an electric motor 58 having a shaft 59 upon which a worm gear 6| is secured, a worm wheel 62 driven by the gear 6| and a pinion 63 on the shaft 64 of the wheel 62. The pinion- 63 is in driving engagement with'the gear teeth 51 on the periphery of the pinion frame 41. Operation of the motor 58 will rotate the pinion frame 41 to index the cylinder 2| and dispose the next succeedingf or selected, printing face 26 in cooperative position with the pad 21 on the cylinder l9. If desired, any of the well known forms of impression cylinder throw-off devices may be provided to separate the cylinders l9 and 2| while the indexing operation istaking place.

In addition to "the operation of the motor 58 to properly dispose a face 26 relatively to the pad 21, it is desirable to control the operation of the imprinting unit, or cylinders I9 and 2|, in accordance-with the number of copies, or products, desired, having each particular heading. Herein is shown cooperating mechanism, including electrical controls for the motor 58, whereby the operation of the cylinders l9 and 2|, in respect to the number of a particular heading printed thereby, and the operation of the motor 58 to change the heading by indexing the cylind'er 2|, may be timed and controlled.

The mechanism for counting the number of headings printed by the cylinders l9 and 2|, and for timing the operation of the motor 58 to index the cylinder 2| (see Figures 4, 5 and 6), includes I an arm 65 pivoted on a pin 66 supported on a partition plate 61 secured by screws 68 within a casing 69. The casing 68 is adapted to be secured upon a machine frame portion 1|, preferably adjacent the folding mechanism 24, by screws 12 (Figure 5). The arm 65 is adapted to engage a trip arm 13 pivotally mounted on a shaft 14 supported on the partition plate 61, and which actuates an electric switch actuating arm 15, also pivotally mounted on the shaft 14. The arm 15 is adapted to engage the operating lever arm 18 of a spring opened switch 16, mounted on the machine frame member 1| adjacent the casing 69. The trip arm 13 is connected to the shaft 14 for slight lost rotative movement relatively thereto by a pin 11 in the shaft 14 cooperating with the arm 13 in a recess 18. The arm 19 is maintained against the pin 11 by a spring 8| coiled about the shaft 14 and having its ends secured respectively to the arms 13 and 15. A spring 19 is connected to the arm 16 and to a post 88 supported on the plate 61 and a post 82 on the arm 15, to urge the arm 15 against a stop 83 to permit the lever arm of the switch 16 to be moved by its spring into open position. The

free end'of the arm13 is adapted to lie in the .path of swinging movement of the free end of the arm 65 to be engaged thereby when it is swung in one direction to operate the lever arm 16 0f the switch 16 to close it, and then to be released, after a short interval, to permit the switch 16 to open.

Another arm.84, also pivoted upon the pin 66 and being connected to the arm 65 toswing the same has a roller mounted upon its free end 86. A spring 81 connected to and extending from the arm 84 to a pin 88, secured to the plate 61, is tensioned to constantly urge the 'arm 65 into switch actuating or closing position, and the roller 85 against a cam 89 mounted upon a shaft 9| extending between and journaled in a casing cover 92 and the plate 61. The cam 89 is arranged to permit the shaft 9| to slide therethrough and by means of a key 93 to rotate the cam 89. The shaft 9| is extended beyond the cover 92 and has a manipulating knob 94 secured thereto, whereby the shaft 9| may be rotated to rotate the cam 89. Rotation of the cam 69 clockwise as shown in Figure 7 will, by means of a cam finger 95 which engages the roller 85, rock the arm 84 to swing the arm 65 against the tension of the spring 81, to setit in position to again actuate the arm 16 of the switch 16, to close the same and through it the circuit in which the switch 16 is located.

A finger member 96 extends from the arm end 85 and, at its end, is provided with a short flange 91 adapted to have the lower end 98 of a catch arm 99 swing into its path, when the arm 84 is rocked by the cam finger 95 in a clockwise direction, to hold the finger member 95 in its rocked position and mainta'n the arm 55 in its set position. The catch arm 99 is pivoted upon a pin IOI attached to the plate 61 and. is-constantly urged into flange engaging and catching position by a spring I02 secured to, and extending between, the arm 99 and the pin 88. A pin I00 supment of the arm 99. A roller I03 mounted on a lug I04, extending from the arm 99 toward the cam 89, is adapted tolbe engaged by a roller I05 secured toa lug I06 extending from the hub I01 of the cam 89, when the parts are in, or approaching, the position shown in Figure 7 to press the catch arm 99 out of the path of, and engagement with, the flange 91, to cause the arm 65 to actuate the switch '16 and close the circuit controlled thereby, while the arm 65 is moving into the full line position shown in Figure 7. In order to momentarily delay the release of the operating arm '10 of the switch 16, the arm 99 is provided with a catch shoulder H0, spaced rearwardly from its end 98, and upon which the finger member pauses during its movement into full line position (Figure '7), whereby the switch 15 is maintained closed a determined interval of time, for a purpose to be hereinafter described and which maintains the motor 58 running for a determined interval of time.

The casing 69 is provided with a dial face I08 having suitable indicia I09 thereon corresponding to the number of copies, or products desired. A pointer III secured to the knob 94 revolves over the face I08 and cooperates with the indicia I09, 7

to indicate the setting of the switch actuating arm 65 by the cam finger 95 and the position of the roller I05 relatively to the catch arm 99. Obviously, rotation of the shaft 9I counterclockwise will cause the roller I05 to actuate the catch arm 99 to release the arm 65 as above. described, and therefore, by rotating the shaft 9| in proportion to the number of products being imprinted, the

- 50. arm 65 may be controlled to'efl'ect the closing of an electric circuit by the switch 18, to start the motor 58 and index the cylinder 2| to dispose another face 26 in printing position, after the desired number of product headings have been printed by the previously positioned face. In view of this, the pointer III may be set at an indicia mark I09 corresponding to the number of products desired imprinted, before the arm actuates the switch 16 to close it. 0 As herein shown, two rows of indicia marks I09 are provided, the outer row indicating the number of products printed, when the sheets constituting the same are not collected, and the inner row indicating the number of products when the sheets are collected before folding them. It will be understood that when printing collected products, it is the usual practice to print from forms that extend substantially half way around the printing cylinder and duplicate forms are used, thus printing two identical products during each cylinder revolution. With such an arrangement, two pads 21 will be employed and duplicate printing faces 26 will be positioned on opposite sides .of the cylinder 2I. For collected products, 75 the printing forms likewise extend substantially ported on the plate 61 limits the swinging move-.

, and when only one pad 21 is used, the outer row is observed, The shaft 9| obviously must be slowly rotated in a counterclockwise direction (Figure 6), to permit the pointer III to make substantially one revolution while a desired number of products is being; printed, for instance 200,000. Herein, the shaft 9| is rotated by a gear II2, secured to the shaft 9I by a pin II3 so that the gear II2 will be unmeshed from a gear II4 when the knob 94 is manipulated to reset the mechanism. The gear H2 is driven by the lastgear II4 of a series of reduction gears H5 and pinions II6 arranged in the well known manner of the common rotation counters, such as those of the "Veeder type, the first one, II1 of the series of gears II5 being drivingly connected to a gear IIII rotatively mounted on the end II9 of the shaft 9| extending beyond the plate 61.

by an enlarged head I2I, formed on the shaft end H9. The gear H8 and the shaft 9| together with all parts thereon is constantly urged, to the right as shown in Figure 6 by a spring I22 disposed and reacting between the end face of the gear H8 and the plate 61 to drivingly connect clutch teeth I23 and I24, formed respectively on the adjacent and faces of the gear H8 and a clutch part I25. The clutch part I25 is secured upon the end of a shaft I25 extending into the casing 89 and which is drivingly connected to the drive of the printing machine by a magnetic clutch I21, whereby it will be driven in synchronism with the cylinders I9 and 2 I The magnetic clutch I21 is shown connected in parallel with the circuit of the printing machine operating motor I28 (see Figure 6), which motor I28 constitutes a means to effect the producing speed of the machine. As shown in Figure 6, the motor I28 is the main full speed machine driving motor, while another motor I29 is the slow speed driving motor which is used only when starting the machine and before actual production, and also for preparing the machine for production. Herein, the clutch I21 is energized when the motor I28 is placed in operation to operate the machine in the actual production of products. It will be understood that the clutch I21-may be arranged to be actuated'by any other product controlling means so that an actual count of, and control by, the products being delivered will be obtained. By means of the clutch arrangement, constituted by the clutch teeth I23 and I24 on the gear I I8 and the part I25, the shaft 9| may be pulled axially by the knob 94, to disconnect the drive shaft I20 from the driven mechanism in the casing 69, when it is desired to set the mechanism for the operation of counting the productsto be imprinted and of controlling the electric circuit including the switch 16 as above described.

Another switch I3I (see Figures 3, 4 and 9) is mounted on,- or adjacent to,'the frame portion 56and is positioned to have its operating arm I32 engaged by cam lugs I33 on a rotatable timing cam I34 which is driven in synchronism with the pinion frame 41 by'being rotatably secured to a gear I35 driven by the gear teeth ing to the face 26 disposed in printing position in respect to the. pad 21 by the indexing of the cylinder 2| by the motor 58.

Referring now to the electric circuit shown in Figure 9, the switch 16 and the switch I3I are shown in control of the operation of'the motor 58, so as to cause it to be operated to r0- tate the pinion frame 41 to index the cylinder v2I and position another printing face 26 in cooperating relation with the pad 21 on the cylinder I9, after the desired number of headings have been imprinted by the preceeding, or pre viously selected face 26, and then to stop the motor 58. As herein shown, the motor 58 is connected by a conductor I36 to a line wire L2 .and by a conductor I31 to 'one terminal of a switch I38, operated by a solenoid I39. The other terminal of the switch I38 is connected by a conductor I4I to the line wireLI. The solenoid I39 is connected by a conductor I42 to the line wire L2 and by a conductor I43 to one of the terminals of the switch 16. The other terminal of the switch 16 is connected by a conductor I44 to the line wire LI, whereby closing of the switch 16 will start the motor 68 to index the cylinder 2I by energizing the solenoid I39 to close the switch I38. The switch 16 is maintained closed as above"described to insure sufficiently long operation of the motor 58 to rotate the cam I34 and cause the switch I'3I to close.

One terminal of the switch I3I is connected by a conductor I45 to the line wire L2, and.by a conductor I46 to one terminal of a solenoid I41, the other terminal of which is connected cylinders I9 and 2| are in operation and printing.

to the line wire LI by a conductor I48. The solenoid I41 actuates a switch I49 which has one of its terminals connected by a conductor I5I to the line wire LI and the other by a conductor I50 to the solenoid I39. A signal lamp,

or bell I52 is connected by conductors I53 and I54 in parallel with the motor 58, so as to indicate when the latter is energized and in opera- .tion to index the cylinder 2I. It will be understood by those versed in the art-that if desired arrangements can be made to maintain the signal light I52 energized after the indexing. operation has been completed to show the attendant that the mechanism has not been reset.

As shown in Figure 9, the switches 16 and I3I are normally open and therefore-the motor circuit is normally open, due to the solenoid I39 being deenergized. This condition exists when the counting and control mechanism is set for a desired number of imprints and the printing At the completion of the desired number. of imprints, the catch arm 99 is moved out of its arm retaining position by the roller I05 whereby the switch 16 is momentarily closed to complete the circuit to the solenoid I39, which in turn closes the switch I38 to start the motor 58 to index the cylinder 2I. At this time, the electric signal lamp, or. bell I52 is energized to indicate to the machine attendant that the indexing operation has started and that the imprinting of the required number of headings has been completed, so that he will watch the delivered products to ascertain when the new headings start, and will also reset the mechanism in the easing 69 by manipulation of the knob 94 for the desired number of the headings to be imprinted by the newly positioned face 26.

As the pinion frame 41 rotates to index the cylinder 2I, the cam lug I33 holding the switch I3I open is moved out of such position, permitting this switch to close, whereby the solenoid I41 is energized. Energization of the solenoid I41 closes the switch I49 to maintain the solenoid I39 energized and the motor 58 in operation, which motor operation will continue until the switch I49 is again opened by the next succeeding cam lug I33, corresponding to the next succeeding printing face 26 on the cylinder 2|.

During the period 'of-motor indexing operation, the signal light I52 is maintained energized and when this operation is completed indicates this condition to the attendant by becoming deenergized, due to the opening of the switch I 38.

When it is'desired to continue the operation of the motor-58 to index the cylinder2l to dispose a face 26, other than the next succeeding one, in printing position, a push button switch I55 is actuated to maintain a circuit including conductors I56 and I51 across the switch I3I, to continue energization of the solenoids I39 and I41. By means of the switch I55, any one of the faces 26 may be selected.

The pointer III, which constantly rotates counterclockwise while the cylinders I9 and 2| are printing headings, reaches .the zero point at the same time the roller I 05 engages the roller I03 to swing the arm end 98 out of engagement with the flange 91 to cause actuation of the arms 13 and 15 to close the switch 16 and start the indexing operation. The machine attendant, observing that the indicating lamp I52 is .energized, watches for, and removes, the few products delivered while the cylinder 2I is being indexed and resets the pointer III to th e number of products required to be imprinted by the next face 26, disposed in printing position. In the interim, the pointer III may have moved beyond the zero mark on the dial I08 and newly printed copies may have been delivered. Indicating marks I58 are provided beyond the zero mark, between it and the marks I09 indicating the maximum number, whereby the attendant may estimate the number of imprinted products having been delivered and when resetting the pointer III to the number desired, he may reset it short of the mark I09 indicating this number, in accordance with this estimate.

The operation of a printingmachine having the imprinting mechanism of this invention incorporated therein includes, the forming of a plurality of printing faces 26 upon plates and mounting them on a form cylinder 2I and the provision of suitable cooperating. impression pads 21 on the impression cylinder I9. The web counterclockwise with reference to Figures 5 I and 7.

Manual rotation of the shaft 9| from the zero mark to set the pointer III to print a desired number of products, rotates the cam finger 95 clockwise, moving the arms 96 and 65 from the position shown in full lines in Figure 7 to the dotted position, so that the flange 91 engages the lower end 99 of the catch arm 99, and moves the arm 65 into a position where it can engage the arm 13 to effect operation of, the switch 16 when the pointer ,III is returned to the zero mark on the dial by completion of the printing of the desired number of impressions. The movement of the hand to zero mark also moves the roller I into engagement with the roller I03,-

thereby moving the catch arm 99 to the fullline position shown in Figure 7.

The indexing motor 58 is then started, as above described, to dispose another face in printing position. By the use of the above described imprinting mechanism, the printing machine can be continuously operated at high speed while headings are. being imprinted and during the. indexing of the cylinder 2|. The change-over from one heading to another may be effected without the slightest interruption of machine operation, and with but comparatively few copies, or products, being wasted, the number being much less than the number wasted when such a change-over requires stopping and start- I ing of the machine, with its attendant loss of time.

While there has been disclosed in this specification one form in which the invention may be embodied, it will be understood that it may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof, and it is therefore desired that the present embodiment be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and it will be further understood that each and every novel feature and combination present in or possessed by the mechanism herein disclosed forms a part of the invention included in this application.

What we claim is: 1. In a printing machine, a form cylinder carrying a plurality of forms, an impression cylinder having an impression surface adapted to cooperate with one of said forms, means to rotate said cylinders in unison and at equalv speeds, and means for indexing said form cylinder with respect to the impression cylinder while they are rotating to bring the several forms selectively into engagement with the said impression surface, said means including an electric motor, and timing means driven in synchronism with said printing machine to control the actuation of said motor. v

2. In a printing machine, a form cylinder having a plurality of different printing forms, an

impression cylinder having an impression surface arranged to cooperate with any selected one of said forms to print products, means to rotate said cylinders in unison and at the'same speed, means to index said form cylinder relatively to the impression surface to dispose any cooperate with any one of said forms to print products, means'to rotate said cylinders in unison and at equal speeds, means to index said form cylinder relatively to said impression cylinder while they are rotating to dispose any one of said forms in printing position with respect to said impression surface, and means driven in synchronism with said cylinders to limit the number of products printed by the selected form.

4. In a printing machine, a form cylinder and an impression cylinder rotatable in unison and at equal speeds, said form cylinder having a plurality ofdifferent forms, said impression cylinder having an impression surface in cooperation with a first selected one of said forms to print products, a control device driven in synchronism with said cylinders, and mechanism controlled by said control device to move said form cylinder in respect to said impression cylinder to dispose another one of said forms in printing relation with said impression surface. 1

5. In a printing machine, a form cylinder an an impression cylinder rotatable in unison and at equal peripheral speeds, said form cylinder having a plurality of different forms, said impression cylinder having an impression surface in cooperation with a first selected one of said forms to print products, mechanism to move said form cylinder in respect to-said impression cylinder to dispose another one of said forms in printing relation with said impression surface, and means driven in synchronism with said cylinders to count the number of products being printed and to actuate said cylinder moving mechanism after a desired number of products have been printed by the first selected form.

6. In a printing machine, a form cylinder having a printing plate upon its periphery, said plate having a plurality of. printing forms thereon,

an impression cylinder having an impression surface adapted to cooperate with only one of said forms, means to rotate said cylinders in unison and at equal speeds, mechanism to index one of said cylinders relatively to the other while they are rotating to selectively dispose one of the forms in printing relation with said impression surface, control means for said mechanism driven in synchronism with said cylinders and including a starting control operable when a desired number of impressions have been made from a selected form, and a stopping control driven by said indexing mechanism operable when a succeeding form is in printing position.

7. In a printing machine, a form cylinder having a printing plate upon its periphery, said plate having a plurality of printing forms thereon, an impression cylinder having an impression surface adapted to cooperate with only one of said forms, means to rotate said cylinders in unison and at equal speeds, mechanism'to index one of said cylinders relatively to the other While they are rotating to selectively dispose one of the. forms' in printing relation with said impression surface, control means for said mechanism driven in synchronism with said cylinders and including a control adapted to be set to start the mechanism when a desired number of impressions have been made from a selected form, and a mechanism stopping control driven by said indexing mechanism operable when a succeeding form is in printing position.

8. In a printing machine, a form cylinder having a printing plate upon its periphery, said plate having a plurality of printing forms thereon, an impression cylinder having'an impression surface adapted to cooperate with only one of said forms,

means to rotate said cylinders in unison and at equalspeeds, mechanism to index oneof said cylinders relatively .to the other while they are rotating to selectively dispose one of the forms in printing relation with said impression surface, control means for said mechanism including a control adapted to be set to start the mechanism when a desired number of impressions have been made from a selected form, and means actuated by said control means to indicate when the inde'xing mechanism is in operation, the desired number of impressions have been made, and that it is time to reset said mechanism starting control.

9. In a printing machine, a form cylinder having a printing plate upon its periphery, said plate having a, plurality of rinting forms thereon, an impression cylinder having an impression surface adapted to cooperate with only one of said forms, means to rotate saidcylinders in unison and at equal speeds, mechanism to index one of said 7 cylinders relatively to the other while they are rotating to selectively dispose one of the forms in printing relation with, said irnpressionsurface, control means for said mechanism including a control adapted to be set to start the mechanism when a desired number of impressions have been made from a selected form, means actuated by said control means to indicate when the mechanism is in operation, and a mechanism stopping control driven by said indexing mechanism and operable when the next succeeding form is in stop controls for said electric motor, a timing device adjustable in accordance with the number of imprints desired printed "by the selected form to actuate the start control for said gearing driving motor when this desired number of imprints' has been printed, and means driven by said gearing to actuate the stop control for said gearing driving motor when a succeeding form is positioned in printing position.

11. In a printing machine, an imprinting mechanism including, an impression cylinder, a form cylinder having a plurality of printing forms thereon, means to rotate said cylinders in unison and at equal speeds, including gearing connected to said form cylinder to drive it and beingadapted to be actuated to rotate it relatively to said impression cylinder to dispose one of said forms in printing position, an electric motor for driving said gearing to rotate said form cylinder relative- 1y to said impression cylinder, a start and stop control for said motor, a timing device driven in synchronism with said cylinders and being settable in accordance with the number of imprints desired printed by the selected form, to actuate the start control for said gearing driving motor when the desired number of imprints has been printed, a motor for driving said printing machine, means to drive said timing device only when said machine motor is operating, and means driven by said gearing to actuate the stop control for said gearing driving motor when a succeeding form is positioned in printing position.

12. In a printing machine, an imprinting mechanism including an impression cylinder, a form cylinder having a plurality of printing forms thereon, means to rotate said cylinders in unison and at equal speeds, means including an electric motor to move said form cylinder. relatively to said impression cylinder to dispose one of the printing forms thereon in printing position, start and stop controls for said motor, a timing device adjustable in accordance with the number of imprints desired printed by the selected form to actuate the start control for said motor when this desired number of imprints has been printed, and means driven by said form cylinder moving means to actuate the stop control for said motor when a succeeding form is positioned in printing position.

13. In a printing machine, an imprinting mechanism including an impression cylinder, a form cylinder having a plurality of printing forms thereon, means to rotatesaid cylinders in unison and at equal speeds, means including an electric motor to move said form cylinder relatively to said impression cylinder to dispose one of the printing forms thereon in printing position, start and stop controls for said motor, a timing device adjustable in accordance with the number of imprints desired printed by the selected form, to actuate the start control for said motor when this desired number of imprints has been printed, means driven by said form cylinder moving means to actuate the stop control for said motor when a succeeding form is positioned in printing position, and means to continue .the operation of said motor after said stopping control is in operable position whereby any succeeding one of said printing forms may be selected.

14. In a printing machine, a form cylinder having a plurality of difierent forms upon its periphery, an impression cylinder having an impression surface thereon arranged to cooperate with any selected one of said forms to print products, I

'15. In a printing machine, a plurality of-print- 60 mg forms, means having an impression surface adapted to register with a selected one of said forms to print upon a web'running therebetween, a first means to move said printing forms and said impression surface in unison and at equal speeds, a second means-to relatively move said printing forms and said impression surface while said first moving means is in operation, to register another one of said forms with said impression surface, and timing means in control of said second moving means to actuate it when adetermined number of products have been printed by the first selected printing form.

16. In a printing machine, a form cylinder carrying a plurality of printing forms an impression cylinder carrying an impression surface adapted to cooperate with any one of said forms, means to rotate said cylinders in unison and at equal speeds, separately driven means to index said form cylinder relatively to said impression cylinderto register a selected form with said impres sion surface, and timing means driven by said cylinder rotating means and being in control of said cylinder indexing means.

17. In a printing machine, a form cylinder having a plurality of printing forms forming portions of its periphery, an impression cylinder having an impression surface upon its periphery adapted to cooperate with any one of said forms to print upon a web running therebetween, means to rotate saidcylinders at substantially equal.

peripheral speeds, mechanism to move one of said cylinders relatively to the other while they are rotating to selectively register any one of said forms with said impression surface, and timed means to control theactuation of said cylinder moving means in accordance with the desired number of imprints made upon the web by a selected form.

18. In a printing machine, an imprinting mechanism including, a formcylinder having a plurality of different printing forms'spaced apart upon its periphery, an impression cylinder having an impression surface adapted to cooperate with any one of the said forms to print products, means to rotate the said cylinders at substantially the same peripheral speed, mechanism to move the form cylinder to dispose any one of the forms in printing cooperation with the impression surface, control means, including means to count the products, operably to vary the number of products to be printed before the said cylinder moving mech-' anism is to operate, and means to automatically stop the operation of said cylinder moving mechanism after a printing form has been moved into printing position.

GILBERT H. HIGGINS. WALTER S. EDWARDS. 

